Clamp for wire-stretchers.



J. A. THOMAS.

CLAMP FOR WIRE STRETGHERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9, 1912.

1,039,214. Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ARTHUR THOMAS, 0F ALLISONIA, VIRGINIA.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES ARTHUR THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allisonia, in the county of Pulaski and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamps for Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in wire stretchers and more particularly to a clamp therefor, and my object is to provide a device of this character which, while simple in construction, will be very effective in securely clamping fence wires for the purpose of stretching the same.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a device which may be quickly and readily operated and which consists of few and simple parts which may be cheaply constructed.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a device which is durable in construction and one which will be most eflicient in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section as seen on line 3-3, Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the locking bar removed.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which- 1 and 2 indicate clamping bars of any desired size, hinged one to the other by means of the strap hinges 3 and adapted to be connected with any form of stretching device, (not shown.) The sections of the hinges are so formed that when the clamping bars 1 and 2 are forced outwardly away from one another, the inner opposed edges thereof will be separated to permit the fence wires to be disposed therethrough and the socket portion of one section of each hinge is incomplete so that the sections of the hinge and correspondingly the clamping bars 1 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1912.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

Serial No. 689,655.

and 2 may be entirely disengaged with one another, if desired.

WVhen the sections of the hinge are properly engaged with one another, and the clamping bars 1 and 2 are drawn toward one another, the same will fit closely to securely clamp any devices, such as fence wires, and in order to retain the clamping bars 1 and 2 together in their clamped or effective positions, I provide my improved securing means; This means comprises a plurality of hinge members 4t comprising straps or the like 5 secured to the outer face of the clamping bar 2 and wire loop or eye members 6 carried by said straps. Secured on the outer face of the opposite clamping bar 1 is an arm 7, the free end of which is bent at right angles as shown at 8 to project a slight distance beyond the outer side edge of the clamping bar and a locking bar 9 has a portion thereof distorted as shown at 10, and a plate 11 secured thereto at the distorted portion to provide an opening 12 therein. This locking bar is adapted to be applied to the free end of the arm 7 by allowing the bent portion 8 thereof to project through the opening 12 and when bar 1, while an angular bent end 13 of said bar is adapted to engage a loop or eye formed in the portion (3 of said hinge. The arm 7 to which the locking bar 9 is applied, forms a fulcrum point for said locking bar which when forced in one direction after engagement with the portion 6 of said hinge, will draw the clamping bars 1 and 2 together and in order to retain the locking bar in its effective position, to correspondingly retain the clamping bars in their effective positions, a stud or the like 14: is formed on each of the locking bars 9 which is adapted to enter any one of a plurality of openings 15 in the arcuate bars 16 which are carried on the side edge of the clamping bar 1. It will thus be seen that the clamping bars 1 and 2 may be securely held in their effective positions to clamp fence wires therebetween so that said wires may be stretched for obvious purposes and it will further be seen that accommodation has been made for the use of wires of various sizes, this latter idea being cared for through the provision of a plurality of openings 15 in the bars 16. Should it be desired at any time to disengage this locking means from the bars 1 and 2, it will only be necessary to raise or lower the free end of the locking bars 9 so that the studs 1A thereon will be disposed out of engagement with the openings 15 in the bars 16 whereupon said looking bars may be swung on their fulcrum points to disengage the portions 6 of the hinge or locking members therefrom. The bars 1 and 2 may be then swung outwardly and entirely separated, if desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention, and while I have particularly described the elements most well adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim is 1. A clamping device for wire stretchers, comprising a pair of clamping bars hinged one to the other, a loop member hingedly carried on one of said clamping bars, a looking bar fulcrumed on the other of said bars and adapted for engagement at one end thereof with said loop member, a stud carried on said locking bar, and means on the last mentioned clamping bar adapted to receive said stud toretain said locking bar and correspondingly said clamping bar in their efi'ective positions.

2. A clamping device for wire stretchers comprising a pair of clamping bars hinged one to the other, loop members hinged on scribed, comprising a pair of clamping bars hinged one to the other, a plurality of loop members hingedly carried on one of said clamping bars and adapted to project over the other clamping bar, a plurality of arms secured to the other of said clamping bars, locking bars removably fulcrumed on said arms and bent at their ends to engage said loop members and draw the clamping bars together, a plurality of laterally extending arms secured to the last mentioned clamping bar, said arms being provided with a plurality of openings thereon, and studs formed on said locking bars and adapted to be received in the openings of said lateral arms, after said locking bars have been drawn to their eifective positions, whereby said clamping bars will be effectively retained.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES ARTHUR THOMAS.

Witnesses:

J. PrTI-IOMAS, E. E. MARSHALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

